This week we are surveying Douglas Pond in Kibby Township and Fox Pond in Lower Cupsuptic Township. Douglas Pond was first surveyed in August of 1993. It is a very shallow 20-acre pond with a maximum depth of 3 feet. No fish were taken on the original survey; however, anglers have recently reported taking some trout from the pond. A resurvey this week will tell the story. Fox Pond is another shallow 20-acre pond near the Cupsuptic River. It has never been officially surveyed, although a fish sample of minnows and hornpout was taken in 1982. Brook trout may enter the pond seasonally, via the pond’s outlet, when conditions are right.

Hornpout or brown bullheads are common in many waters throughout Maine. With three sharp spines on the fins, they can be a little difficult to handle, but they are very good to eat and fun to catch. The best time to target hornpout is at night with a baited hook on the bottom. Bullheads will have no trouble locating the bait in darkness as it is their normal time to feed. Quality size bullheads, 12 inches and larger, can be found in Fahi Pond in Embden, Locke Pond in Chesterville, Ellis Pond in Roxbury, and Wilson Pond in Wilton, to name just a few. Soaking the fillets in milk for a few minutes before frying adds to the eating quality.

Warm water temperatures in lakes and ponds cause coldwater fish species to seek cooler thermal refuge. These conditions in most large lakes are easy to find, the fish just have to go deeper. That’s also what anglers must do to target salmon and trout. A slow troll using a downrigger or lead-core fishing line is what it takes to get down into the 40-foot deep water where the fish are suspended. If fishing for brook trout or salmon, the Rangeley area is hard to beat. All the larger lakes contain trout and salmon and have good public access. Lake trout anglers can go to Varnum Pond in Temple, Jim Pond in Jim Pond Twp., Spencer Lake in Hobbstown Twp., or Pleasant Pond in Caratunk to find some good action. All these ponds are deep and contain large togue. A sewed-on bait or small streamer fly with a dodger are a couple of good techniques to try. -Dave Howatt, Fisheries Biologist Specialist

Dave - Thankyou for your post. I have fished Rangeley Lake in the manner your described for many years. I recently have started to try fly fishing. Can you suggest areas near to Rangeley with easy to find access where I could go to fly fish? Bob Herman